The Formula Fed Child

The child that is receiving commercial formula has little need for any supplementation because this is completely provided in the commercial preparations. The only element lacking is fluoride. But if a concentrated formula is used, the fluoridated water added to the concentrate would generally supply the needed fluoride. The obvious exception to that is the child who comes from an area where well water is used. In that instance, fluoride should probably be prescribed for the infant until the child has the opportunity to see a dentist. The pre term infant will require multi-vitamin supplements because stores of the various vitamins have not built up in his own system.

In the pre term infant, as well as in the older child and even the adult, other nutrients influence vitamin needs as well. This can best be understood by considering a malnourished African child. Those frail infants have actually very little need for vitamins have not built up in their own system. The reason is simply that they are not growing and they are not eating very much. As they eat more and more begin to grow, their needs for vitamins increase. In such a situation, the vitamins must be balanced because of vitamin inter-relationships. For example, vitamin E protects vitamin A from oxidation; meaning that a deficiency of vitamin E may also result in a deficiency of vitamin A. Moreover, little vitamin A or pyridoxine is needed when that African child has little protein in his diet. But as he eats more protein-rich foods, he will need more of these vitamins. And he will need more thiamine as he receives more carbohydrates.